Just recently the entertainment world lost an artist. A very good artist. A beautiful woman with loads of talent. She had the ability to give us all chill bumps when she sang. Her offering of our National Anthem was nothing short of awe inspiring. She was a woman who should have had a long life. Her career should have been one that, when ended, left indelible marks in the sands of time - remembered, glorified and hailed for the brilliance of an amazing talent.
Poor girl. With all the gifts and talents God gave her, she could not keep herself from falling off the edge of reason. She seemed to live a tortured life which apparently is going to re-play in the life of a child she left behind. Watching the downward spiral was heart-breaking. I can never understand how people who seemingly "have it all" cannot or WILL NOT be happy. Perhaps it is because that fundamental source of human happiness has been pushed down so far and buried beneath so many pretty, shiny "things" it can no longer grow.
It is said she knew God and it was He who gave her a start to thrill the world with an amazing voice. It is also said she helped a lot of young struggling artists get a foothold in the entertainment world. It is said she did many, many good and kind things for many people.
However, it would seem as she traveled her glamorous yet troubled road she forgot to take along the One who was responsible for her own ability and opportunity. At any point, had she simply reached out and drew Him to her side, He would have shielded her from those people and things who sought to do her harm.
I certainly believe people should have their accomplishments recognized. However, I cannot get past the images of a life sinking further and further into decadence and despair. Stories and images of a person who seemed to have lost their rudder in the sea of life haunt my memories. The expression “like a train wreck” prove true for me. It is horrific and hypnotic at the same time. Those images of someone lost and struggling have almost successfully removed other memories of this person from my mind.
There are so many people who pass whose lives are an example we can hold to our children's eyes and say "this person tried to always live a good life and died a good and honorable death." And yet, they are daily made aware of people whose life and passing probably shouldn’t be made so glamorous.
I have to wonder when some people look at all the tributes, memorials, honorariums and media frenzy over the passing of a life wasted - do they think "Wow! This is how to become famous!"? It would seem to me the tribute should be made to how a person lived their life, not just because they died. It would appear a slap in the face to men and women who fight and die, with little more fanfare than a flag draped coffin, 21 gun salute and the mournful sound of Taps in the distance.
So, before you send me hateful mail, let me say this. I too thought WH was a beautiful, talented and amazing artist. But, she basically took herself out of this life by throwing away everything she once believed in. She is gone, but because of her craft, she will remain in our world for a long long time.
Today, I choose to honor those who pass without fanfare, without countless memorials, sometimes without a single tear. Those people who live and die - often without anyone really knowing they existed. Who die with THEIR music unsung. Whose accomplishments, talents and gifts die with them and their contributions are held dear only by the recipients of their generosity or time. The ones who pass with only their families and closest friends to care.
OR SUCK IT UP AND SUCK IT IN!
So……being addicted to all things Yahoo and a devoted follower of their news feeds on my home page, I often find blog worthy items.
The latest was a model who has a waistline that is 5” bigger around than a CD. This girl is very wide through her pelvis and a waistline that small coupled with twig like legs makes her look alien.
But I was intrigued so I looked further. She isn’t alone. There are women who have had their ribs removed and then stayed corseted up in order to achieve that hourglass shape. One woman’s husband hated her appearance so much she finally resorted to a corset to try to look better. Once he saw how good she looked after lacing herself into that instrument of torture, he convinced her to wear it night and day. And so she did…for decades.
I realize some of us (me) have gone just a tad to the other extreme, but really…..
I can remember when girls like Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth made the guys hearts go pitty-pat and those gals had some curves….lots of them. In spite of their beauty they seemed approachable. These trussed up corseted victims look like they could snap at the waist in a high wind. And where, pray tell, are all the internal organs that are supposed to be where there is no room to be. They are pushed up and squashed down in areas they don’t belong.
I’m sad these women will never know what it feels like to truly be comfortable, to breathe and relax. What a pity they never learned to be comfortable in their own skin.
So....today I had a conversation with someone at work. Conversations with this person occasionally take strange and rocky side trips because their sense of humor rivals mine in sick and twisted. This "talk" went south in a big hurry. We started out talking about what good bargains Dillards has to offer when they decide to have a "sale."
Which led me to Darling Daughter Avenue where my sweet girl always gets such good prices on things, partially because she is teeny tiny and has been known to actually shop in the kids department. It is always a good day for shopping in her neck of the woods.
But eventually we made a wrong turn and found ourselves on the corner of Overweight and Slighty Dotty. The clothing stores in this not so attractive part of town tend to have the misconception that older, slightly “chubbed up” grandmotherly types have lost all sense of fashion.
Hello........we may have lost our ability to say no to Snickers but we still have eyes with which to see that with which you wish to adorn us. Yes, I'm speaking to you designers for Catherines, Lane Bryant and the rest of your ilk. And we will just not even mention those “discount” retailers who are the worst offeners IMHO.
Can you please explain to me why all tops in my size must be covered in flowers the size of dinner plates and in colors that make your retinas cry for mercy? Is there one good reason why you think I need to dress myself in my great grandmother's bedroom curtains?
Really people, we do still have a need for nice solid colored tops. Or are you deluded enough to think you are doing us a favor by making them wearable with any color stretch pants we own? PLEASE.STOP.
And while I'm on this subject, I have not reverted back to my childhood and I do not find myself in need of emblazoning Tinker Bell, Winnie the Pooh or Tigger on my casual wear or undergarments. Something tells me all three of those characters make a lot more money than I do and have no need for me to advertise for them.
Even pajamas for larger women have to have something "cutesy" on them. Really? Do you think you are tricking us into thinking we are tiny fluttering little bits of gossamer wings? The only requirements I have for PJs are nice soft and seasonally appropriate material, a good heavy duty drawstring and the ability to withstand numerous washings. Thank.You.Very.Much.
And before you, sweet gentle reader, come after me with a pitchfork and burning broom, let me explain that I don't even like children's clothing that is festooned with Barbie, Bratz, SpongeBob wetPants (yes, yes, I know that's not his name - but think about it) or any other TV character.
And now the confession. I have been known to sport a favorite athletic team on my person from time to time. That is about as far as I am willing to go to make my body the equivalent of a vehicle wrapper advertising for someone or something else. (GO CARDS!)
...............and how was your day? I would really like to know.
